Electric energy adjustment apparatus, system, method and program

ABSTRACT

A Service Provider (SP) includes a controller that instructs several Producers (provide the electric energy) and Consumers (consume the electric energy) about the electrical energy. The controller selects one of the Producers as an Active Producer (AP) that provides a predetermined volume of the electric energy, one of a remainder of the Producers as a Passive Producer (PP) that adjusts a volume of provided electric energy to be, one of the Consumers as an Active Consumer (AC) that consumes a predetermined volume of the electric energy, and one of a remainder of the Consumers as a Passive Consumer (PC) that adjusts a volume of consumed electric energy, and the controller instructs one of Passive Subscribers (either the PP or the PC) to adjust the electric energy, so as to mitigate a difference between a total supply volume and a total demand volume.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a National Stage of International Application No.PCT/JP2015/000866 filed Feb. 23, 2015, the contents of all of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an electric energy adjustmentapparatus, system, method and program. In particular, the presentinvention relates to an electric energy adjustment apparatus, system,method and program for adjusting the electric energy.

BACKGROUND ART

A technique related to an “Automated Energy Management System” isdisclosed in Patent Literature 1. A technique related to a “SystemArchitecture and Method for Energy Industry Trading and TransactionManagement” is disclosed in Patent Literature 2. A technique related toa “System and Method for Automated Trading of Electrical Consumption” isdisclosed in Patent Literature 3. A technique related to a “Method forProviding Energy Commodities Trade Outsourcing Service within the EnergyMarket” is disclosed in Patent Literature 4. A technique related to an“Electric Power Trading Market System and Electric Power Trading Method”is disclosed in Patent Literature 5. A technique related to an “EnergyManagement System and Method” is disclosed in Patent Literature 6.

Moreover, a technique related to a “regional electric power controlsystem and regional electric power control method” is disclosed inPatent Literature 7. In Patent Literature 7, each consumer possesses theability to consume surplus electric power. The controller in PatentLiterature 7 selects from among all the consumers a consumer to consumethe surplus electric power.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

PTL 1: US Patent Publication No. 2006/0155423

PTL 2: International Patent Publication No. WO 02/101510

PTL 3: US Patent Publication No. 2009/0228388

PTL 4: US Patent Publication No. 2004/0093298

PTL 5: US Patent Publication No. 2003/0074304

PTL 6: US Patent Publication No. 2013/0304275

PTL 7: International Patent Publication No. WO 2013/030937

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

According to Patent Literature 7, as described above, there is apossibility that all consumers could be selected as adjustment targetsof the electric power (or energy). Therefore, according to PatentLiterature 7, there is a problem that it is difficult to flexibly adjustthe electric energy between a plurality of consumers and providers, suchas, for example, maintaining a specific power consumption by a specificconsumer.

The present invention has been accomplished to solve the above problemsand thus an exemplary object of the present invention is to provide anelectric energy adjustment apparatus, a system, a method and a programthat enable the electric energy between a plurality of consumers andproviders to be flexibly adjusted.

Solution to Problem

An electric energy adjustment apparatus according to a first exemplaryaspect of the present invention includes a controller that instructs aplurality of Producers and Consumers about electrical energy, theProducers provide the electric energy, the Consumers consume theelectric energy wherein the controller selects at least one of theplurality of Producers as an Active Producer that provides apredetermined volume of the electric energy, at least one of a remainderof the plurality of Producers as a Passive Producer that adjusts avolume of the energy to be provided, at least one the plurality ofConsumers as an Active Consumer that consumes a predetermined volume ofthe electric energy, and at least one of a remainder of the plurality ofConsumers as a Passive Consumer that adjusts a volume of the electricenergy to be consumed, and the controller instructs at least one ofPassive Subscribers, which is at least one of either the PassiveProducer or the Passive Consumer, to adjust the electric energy, so asto mitigate a difference between a total volume of the electric energyprovided by the plurality of Producers and a total volume of theelectric energy consumed by the plurality of Consumers.

An electric energy adjustment system according to a second exemplaryaspect of the present invention includes a plurality of Producers thatprovide electric energy, a plurality of Consumers that consume theelectric energy, and a control apparatus that instructs the plurality ofProducers and Consumers about the electrical energy; wherein at leastone of the plurality of Producers is an Active Producer that provides apredetermined volume of the electric energy, at least one of a remainderof the plurality of Producers is a Passive Producer that adjusts avolume of the electric energy to be provided, at least one of theplurality of Consumers is an Active Consumer that consumes apredetermined volume of the electric energy, at least one of a remainderof the plurality of Consumers is a Passive Consumer that adjusts avolume of the electric energy to be consumed, and the control apparatusinstructs at least one of Passive Subscribers, which is at least one ofeither the Passive Producer or the Passive Consumer, to adjust theelectric energy, so as to mitigate a difference between a total volumeof the electric energy provided by the plurality of Producers and atotal volume of the electric energy consumed by the plurality ofConsumers.

In an electric energy adjustment method according to a third exemplaryaspect of the present invention, the method uses a plurality ofProducers that provide electric energy, a plurality of Consumers thatconsume the electric energy, and a controller that instructs theplurality of Producers and Consumers about the electrical energy, andthe electric energy adjustment method includes selecting, by thecontroller, at least one of the plurality of Producers as an ActiveProducer that provides a predetermined volume of the electric energy, atleast one of a remainder of the plurality of Producers as a PassiveProducer that adjusts a volume of the electric energy to be provided, atleast one of the plurality of Consumers as an Active Consumer thatconsumes a predetermined volume of the electric energy, and at least oneof a remainder of the plurality of Consumers as a Passive Consumer thatadjusts a volume of the electric energy to be consumed; and instructing,by the controller, at least one of Passive Subscribers, which is atleast one of either the Passive Producer or the Passive Consumer, toadjust the electric energy, so as to mitigate a difference between atotal volume of the electric energy provided by the plurality ofProducers and a total volume of the electric energy consumed by theplurality of Consumers.

In a non-transitory computer readable medium storing a control programaccording to a fourth exemplary aspect of the present invention, thecontrol program causes a computer to execute a selection processing ofselecting at least one of a plurality of Producers which provideelectric energy, as an Active Producer that provides a predeterminedvolume of the electric energy, at least one of a remainder of theplurality of Producers as a Passive Producer that adjusts a volume ofthe electric energy to be provided, at least one of the plurality ofConsumers which consume the electric energy as an Active Consumer thatconsumes a predetermined volume of the electric energy, and at least oneof a remainder of the plurality of Consumers as a Passive Consumer thatadjusts a volume of the electric energy to be consumed, and aninstruction processing instructs at least one of Passive Subscribers,which is at least one of either the Passive Producer or the PassiveConsumer, to adjust the electric energy, so as to mitigate a differencebetween a total volume of the electric energy provided by the pluralityof Producers and a total volume of the electric energy consumed by theplurality of Consumers.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the exemplary aspects of the present invention, it ispossible to provide an electric energy adjustment apparatus, a system, amethod and a program that enable the electric energy between a pluralityof consumers and providers to be flexibly adjusted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an energyadjustment system according to a first exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a Service Provideraccording to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a Subscriberaccording to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of the interplays among CES Subscriberswith a Service Provider and interaction with the Service Provider and aConventional Utility Company;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of a process in an energyadjustment method according to the first exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing a flow of Phase 1 in the energyadjustment method according to the first exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing a flow of Phase 2 in the energyadjustment method according to the first exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing a flow of Phase 3 in the energyadjustment method according to the first exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing a flow of Phase 4 in the energyadjustment method according to the first exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of applying the linearprogramming to the energy matching procedure according to the firstexemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 11 is a simple exemplary energy matching procedure according to thefirst exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, specific exemplary embodiments incorporating the presentinvention are explained in detail with reference to the drawings. Ineach drawing, the same components are denoted by the same referencenumerals, and duplicated explanations are omitted as necessary forclarity of explanation.

The existing vertically integrated energy market will go through acomplete renovation in order to alleviate the electricity marketderegulation as well as a proliferation of renewable sources. Moreover,the advancement of ICT and storage technology will enable digital grid(DG-Grid) architecture and operation to soon be realizable in aconsiderable scale. Such a technological advancement and vision willcreate a huge business potential, especially in the energy market area.On the other hand, reduction of the energy footprint from a utility grid(or other external suppliers) while utilizing locally available energy(mostly from renewable sources in conjunction with a battery/batterycloud) is necessary to move towards a “net-zero-energy” society. A“net-zero-energy” society is defined as the maximized usage of localenergy production to meet local energy consumption so as to move towardsnullifying the interaction with a conventional utility grid. Theoperating zone/region of such a society is thought to be a microgrid ora group of microgrids. A microgrid typically contains a number of load(energy consumers), distributed energy resources with renewable sources(e.g. PV, wind, etc.), and energy storage systems (batteries, etc.) withappropriate infrastructures. The interactions amongst theseaforementioned entities coupled with their specific roles are criticallyimportant to realizing a “net-zero-society” to a certain extent.Moreover, the economic benefits of entities (especially consumers andenergy providers) need to be ensured.

The outline of this invention will be explained as follows.

In one embodiment, the invention is a system for demand-side commitmentbased energy service (CES) framework that facilitates the aforementionedtargets in the background. The CES framework requires defining severalnew classes of consumers and producers (players) based on their servicerequirements and engagement willingness. The players' engagements andsubscriptions are motivated by defining appropriate incentives (in aform of a pricing scheme) which ensure the benefit of each playercompared with the traditional energy service. The pricing scheme isdesigned such that each subscriber tends to be economically benefited byparticipating in the CES. By defining the appropriate functionalities ofdifferent players of the CES coupled with their interplaying as well asby infusing intelligence in the CES, it is possible to have the localenergy production properly managed in accordance with local energyconsumption in order to nullify the necessity of utilizing entities likea utility grid or external sources to a certain extent (if not fully).

In another embodiment, the invention is an automated operational outlinedescribing the temporal sequence of operations, pointing out thepotential functional blocks and describing different phases ofoperation. The operational flow is oriented around a Service Provider(SP), the brain of the CES and the host of all required functionalblocks with associated intelligence. Based on the service requirementsand the capacity, the subscribers of the CES have been divided intoseveral service dependent classes.

In one of the embodiments of the invention, the CES subscribersinterplay while cooperating with each other based on their energyprofiles. A certain time ahead (N-time) an energy matching operation isrequired to achieve high-level energy optimization from the serviceperspective. The intelligence required for the energy matching operationis presented in the SP. A matching engine is thus designed to performthe necessary energy matching operation to optimally match the totalsupply with the total demand while satisfying the individual consumer'sdemand and provider's supply. The key objective of the energy matchingoperation is to reduce the utility grid contribution as well as torespect the preferences of both consumers and providers.

In the N-time-ahead operation, a plurality of energy consumers willreport a plurality of energy requirements to the SP describing itsenergy consumption patterns for a certain granularity of time (e.g.30-minutes). A plurality of energy providers also reports a plurality ofpotential energy productions to the SP. If some consumers/providers areunable to report (or contracted to do so), the SP itself predicts theirperspective energy consumption/production using a Prediction Engine.After accumulating the energy profiles, a Matching Engine performs theoptimal energy matching operation to efficiently match the supply withthe demand. Although, the SP tries to maximize the utilization of totalsupply with total demand within that service region, it might berequired to exchange a fraction of energy with the utility in order tomaintain a balance between supply and demand in both acertain-time-ahead operation and the real time operation.

<First Exemplary Embodiment of the Invention>

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an energyadjustment system according to a first exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention. FIG. 1 describes the demand-side commitment basedenergy service (CES) framework model outline operating on a specifiedservice zone (CES vicinity 100). The energy adjustment system accordingto the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention is present inthe CES vicinity 100. The energy adjustment system includes a ServiceProvider (SP) 110 and the CES subscribers 10.

The SP 110 is an example of a control apparatus or an electric energyadjustment apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention. The SP 110 instructs the plurality of Producers andConsumers about the electrical energy (in other words, electric power inthe form of energy unit, for example, kWh). The SP 110 acts as the brainof the model and contains major functional modules required forrealizing the services. Specifically, The SP 110 may select categories(Active/Passive and/or Producer/Consumer) of each subscriber. The SP 110may instruct at least one of Passive Subscribers to adjust the electricenergy. That is, the SP 110 may send the instruction to the PassiveSubscribers, so as to mitigate a difference between a total volume ofthe electric energy provided by the plurality of Producers and a totalvolume of the electric energy consumed by the plurality of Consumers.Note that, the Passive Subscribers is at least one of either the PassiveProducer or the Passive Consumer.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the SP 110according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.The SP 110 is an example of a controller according to the firstexemplary embodiment of the present invention. The SP 110 includes aservice controller 111, an energy matching engine 112, a predictionengine 113, and a storage unit 114. The storage unit 114 is a storagedevice. For example, the storage unit 114 may be a nonvolatile storagedevice. The storage unit 114 includes a plurality of energy profiles115. The energy profiles 115 are information about demand and supplyelectric energy obtained in each of the plurality of Producers andConsumers during a certain time period.

When the service controller 111 receives the plurality of energyprofiles 115 from one or more CES Subscribers 10, the service controller111 stores the energy profiles 115 in the storage unit 114. When theservice controller 111 does not receive some or all of the energyprofiles 115, the service controller 111 may predict the energy profiles115. In other words, the SP 110 may, at least, possess the energyprofiles 115. The service controller 111 (or the prediction engine 113)may determine adjustment values to adjust the electric energy, based onthe energy profiles 115. The service controller 111 may instruct atleast one of the Passive Subscribers based on at least one adjustmentvalues.

Before the certain time period in Subscribers 10 actually adjust theelectric energy, the service controller 111 may determine adjustmentvalues to adjust the electric energy so as to mitigate the differencebased on predicted values (for example, the energy profiles 115) ofdemand and supply electric energy obtained in each of the CESSubscribers 10 during the certain time period. The service controller111 may instruct at least one of the PS (Passive Subscribers) 12 basedon the adjustment values.

The service controller 111 may instruct at least one of the PS 12 toadjust the electric energy during the certain time period. When there isa difference between a total real supply volume which is provided by theplurality of Producers and a total real demand volume which is consumedby the plurality of Consumers during the certain time period, theservice controller 111 may instruct at least one of the PS 12 to furtheradjust the electric energy.

Alternatively, the service controller 111 may receive values of anelectric energy volume which is provided by the plurality of Producersand is consumed by the plurality of Consumers during the certain timeperiod. The service controller 111 may instruct at least one of the PS12 to adjust the electric energy based on the received values of thereal electric energy volume.

There is a plurality of time periods for the Passive Subscribers toadjust the electric energy. The service controller 111 may determineadjustment values to adjust the electric energy for each of the certaintime periods, so as to mitigate the difference, and instruct at leastone of the PS 12 based on the adjustment values. The service controller111 may select one of the Subscribers as Active and one of theSubscribers as Passive for each of the certain time periods.

The service controller 111 may determine adjustment values to adjust theelectric energy, so as to mitigate the difference within the range ofthe constraints under which the PS 12 are able to adjust the electricenergy, and instructs at least one of the PS 12 based on the adjustmentvalues.

The energy matching engine 112 matches energy consumption of consumerswith energy supply from producers. The prediction engine 113 predictsthe N-time ahead energy consumption and production prediction. Notethat, The SP 110 may include other additional necessary modules.

The CES subscribers 10 are broadly divided into two categories;Producers and Consumers. Each of these two categories is further brokendown into two more sub-categories, namely Active and Passive. Thisbreakdown is motivated by the service classifications and roles definedby the SP 110.

The CES subscribers 10 include an Active Subscriber (AS) 11 and aPassive Subscriber (PS) 12. The AS 11 includes at least one ActiveConsumer (AC) 140 and at least one Active Producer (AP) 150. The PS 12includes at least one Passive Producer (PP) 120 and at least one PassiveConsumer (PC) 130. In other words, the CES subscriber 10 includes aplurality of Producers and Consumers. The plurality of Producersprovides electric energy. At least one of the pluralities of Producersis an AP 150 that provides a predetermined volume of the electricenergy. At least one of a remainder of the plurality of Producers is aPP 120 that adjusts a volume of the electric energy to be provided. Theplurality of Consumers consumes the electric energy. At least one of thepluralities of Consumers is an AC 140 that consumes a predeterminedvolume of the electric energy. At least one of a remainder of theplurality of Consumers is a PC 130 that adjusts a volume of the electricenergy to be consumed.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a Subscriber 10 aaccording to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.The Subscriber 10 a is one of the PP 120, PC 130, AC 140, and AP 150.The Subscriber 10 a belongs to the CES Subscribers 10. The Subscriber 10a can operate as any category of PP, PC, AC, and AP. Therefore, theconfiguration of the Subscriber 10 a among PP, PC, AC, and AP is thesame.

The Subscriber 10 a includes an energy controller 101 and a storage unit102. The energy controller 101 generates its own energy profile 103. Theenergy controller 101 stores the generated energy profile 103 in thestorage unit 102, and sends the generated energy profile 103 to the SP110. The energy controller 101 receives an adjustment instruction fromthe SP 110, and provides or consumes the electric energy according tothe adjustment instruction. For example, the energy controller 101 maybe a smart meter, an information processing apparatus or a computerconnected with a power line and communication line.

The envisioned functionalities, characteristics, and received servicesof the AC 140 can be described as follows.

The AC 140 attains a committed volume of energy for a specific day (orfor a certain period of time). The committed volume of energy can bedetermined by the energy matching engine 112 in the SP 110 after the AC140 finalizes its energy profiling. The energy profiling of the AC 140can determined by:

-   -   the AC 140 itself using its own prediction mechanisms,    -   a contract or negotiation between the AC 140 and the SP 110 for        a pre-determined volume of energy, and    -   the SP 110's prediction engine using the past energy profiling        of that AC 140.

Once the commitment deal is conducted, the SP 110 must ensure the volumeof energy committed to that particular AC 140 for the contracted timeperiod.

The AC 140 can receive a preference service subjected to a contract withthe SP 110. The definition of preference service may vary depending onthe SP 110's scope of operation as well as underlying regulations andpolicies. For example, the AC 140 may want to receive as much power aspossible from renewable sources. At the same time, it may also want toreceive a certain amount of power from a certain group of producers. TheSP 110 tries to respect the preference as much as possible and thusprovide the AC with added value for the service. On top of that, an ACcan also bid for allocated energy with a certain price. The definitionsof precise services are subjected to change depending on the SP 110'sown policies coupled with the regulations provided by the regulatoryboard.

Similarly, the functionalities and characteristics of the AP 150 can bedefined as well. The AP 150 generates and provides a committed volume ofenergy for a specific day (or for a certain period of time). Thecommitted volume of energy can be determined by the energy matchingengine 112 in the SP 110 after the AP 150 finalizes its energyprofiling.

The PS 12 (the PP 120 and PC 130), on the other hand, are defined by theflexible nature of their energy profiling. The SP 110 can realizeprograms such as Demand Response (DR) via the PC 130 or PP 120. Forinstance, if, while scheduling the N-time-ahead energy matching, the SP110 notices a deficit/surplus of energy, the SP 110 may instruct one (orseveral) PC(s) 130/PP(s) 120 to reduce their energy consumption/supply(to a predefined volume) in order match the total supply with the totaldemand. The AS 11 has preliminary committed to the SP 110 toproviding/consuming a predetermined volume of the electric energy basedon a certain energy profile and services. On the other hand, The PS 12has not fully committed to the SP 110 (the commitment is flexible) toproviding/consuming the predetermined volume of the electric energy.Moreover, the PS 12 is useful while mitigating the real time adjustmentof demand and supply, since the SP 110 can utilize their flexibilitywhile mitigating both the N-time ahead supply/demand matching andreal-time adjustment. Therefore, the treatment which the PS 12 (the PP120/PC 130) receives differs significantly from that which the AS 11(the AP 150/AC 140) receives. Depending on the season, the pattern ofenergy profiles, and the capability of engagement into the service, aparticular subscriber may switch between being a Passive one and anActive one.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of the interplaying among the CESSubscribers 10 with the SP 110 and interaction with the SP 110 andConventional Utility Company 900. As seen in FIG. 4, the CES does notimpose any extra electrical network connectivity. Rather, the CESoperates on the electrical grid network 220 provided by the conventionalutility Company 900. The SP 110 controls all the required operations andintelligence. In case of a real time operation (will be described inFIGS. 8 and 9); the actual power will be transmitted from a producer(Active and Passive) to a consumer (Active and Passive). The SP 110determines the necessary energy matching volume and broadcasts theinformation about what amount of energy should be transmitted, fromwhich producer the amount should be transmitted, and to which consumerthe amount should be transmitted by the communication line 210. Thecommunication line 210 is bi-directional since the CES subscribers alsoprovide the information regarding their real time energy consumption(for Consumers) and real time energy supply (for Producers) in order toperform the real time adjustment operation using batteries and PassiveSubscribers. Moreover, the utility interaction (with the conventionalutility Company 900) is also bi-directional since the SP 110 may buy therequired energy from the conventional utility Company 900 or sell thesurplus of energy to the conventional utility Company 900.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of a process in the energyadjustment method according to the first exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention. The whole operation (process) is divided into fourchronological phases: Phase 1: Information Acquisition and Prediction(S310), Phase 2: Energy Matching and Commitment Delegation (S320), Phase3: Real-time Energy Interactions (S330), and Phase 4: Real-timeAdjustment (S340). Note that, the Phases 1 and 2 are performed at a timeof operation N-time ahead, and the Phases 3 and 4 are performed at areal operation time.

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing a flow of Phase 1 in the energyadjustment method according to the first exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

In Phase 1 (executed in an N-time ahead operating time, e.g. day-aheadoperation), each of the CES Subscribers 10 initiate communicationwith/out special preference (S311). Specifically, each subscribergenerates its own energy profile 103. Each subscriber sends thegenerated energy profile 103 (profile information) with activation tothe SP 110 (S312). When the SP 110 receives the profile information, theSP 110 acknowledges the receipt (S313). Then the SP 110 accumulates theprofile information regarding demand and supply of energy fromsubscribers (S314). Specifically, the SP 110 stores the received energyprofile in the storage unit 114. In other words, the SP 110 gathers theenergy profile from the perspective subscribers (assuming thesubscribers are able to predict their own energy usage a certain timeahead of operation, e.g. N-time ahead). When the SP 110 does not receivesome or all of the energy profiles from some or all of the CESSubscribers 10, the SP 110 deploys its own prediction engine 113 topredict the energy profiles 115 for certain subscribers from which theenergy profile is not received (S315). Based on the predicted energyconsumption/supply and preferences; the SP 110 determines thepre-engaged demand/supply of the subscribers. Subscribers, such asproducers of bulk energy may have contracts with the SP 110 regardingthe energy volume. In such a case, no energy profile prediction isrequired. Some other subscribers may want to provide their own energyrequirements, instead of providing historical information forprediction. Based on the service definitions and designed policies, theSP 110 can provide several preference program to the certainsubscribers.

FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing a flow of Phase 2 in the energyadjustment method according to the first exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention. In Phase 2 (executed also in an N-time aheadoperating time), the SP 110 determines the energy matching volume amongCES subscribers 10 (pre-committed energy volume) (S321). Specifically,the SP 110 determines the energy matching by intelligently assigningActive/Passive Producers to supply energy to Active/Passive Consumers.In other words, the SP 110 selects each subscriber as an Active/Passiveand a Producer/Consumer. And the SP 110 determines an association withActive/Passive Producers and Active/Passive Consumers and a volume ofsupply/demand electric energy. The SP 110 sends the pre-committed energyvolume information to the AS 11 (the AP 150 and AC 140) (S322). The SP110 sends the adjusted energy volume information to the PS 12 (the PP120 and PC 120) (S323). At this time, the SP 110 may notify eachsubscriber of the determined (selected) categories (Active/Passive andProducer/Consumer). Further, the SP 110 may display which subscriber isselected as an Active/Passive and a Producer/Consumer, the energymatching volume (a total supply/demand volume, an adjusted volume, orthe like), a status of subscribers, price of energy, or the like on thescreen. The determination of categories may be dependent on thesubscription type and/or required service and/or some demand criteria.For example, a particular consumer can be an AC 140 since it can providebetter price for require energy to the SP 1140. After step S323, the PS12 commits and acknowledges the volume (S324).

When the SP 110 does not mitigate the difference between the totalsupply/demand volumes among CES subscribers 10, the SP 110 interactswith the Conventional Utility Company 900 in N-time ahead for adjustment(S325).

The motivation of the energy matching operation is to achieve severalobjectives, such as minimizing the involvement of an utility grid orsome other external energy source (the Conventional Utility Company900), respecting the preference of consumers (if given), and respectingthe flexibility provided by the Passive Subscriber. At the same time,the energy matching engine should be able to satisfy the energy demandprofile of Active Consumers (exact satisfaction) and Passive Consumers(within certain degree of satisfaction).

The energy matching problem can be effectively formulated as anassignment problem and solved by a linear programming based method. FIG.10 is a flowchart showing an example of applying linear programming tothe energy matching procedure according to the first exemplaryembodiment of the present invention. The step S410 shows theinitialization of the process by prioritizing the producers depending onthe involvement preferences. The energy matching engine 112 creates theInvolvement Priority Vector (IPV) for Providers. The IPV is thus definedby assigning appropriate priorities to the producers. Two layers of IPVare applied in the step S410. In the higher level, Active Producers (APs150) are set as the highest priority producers, since the SP 110 has toensure the maximum energy supply from APs 150. Then the PassiveProducers (PPs 120) are set as the 2nd highest priority producers, sincethe SP 110 has flexibility over deciding the energy volume required fromthem. Finally, the utility grid or other external sources (theConventional Utility Company 900) is set as the lowest priorityproducers, since the SP 110 is moving towards nullifying thecontributions from the utility grid (or other external sources). In thelower level of IPV, additional priority values can be assigned to eachof the APs 150 and PPs 120 to implement some fairness policies amongstthem. This level of IPV can provide more control to the SP 110 overdeciding the energy matching volume more precisely. The exact numericalvalues of IPV for each of the subscribers have to follow both the higherand lower level of priority rules.

In 2nd step S420, the contributing factors (CFs) for the PassiveSubscribers (the PP 120 and PC 130) are determined. In other words, theCFs are defined or accumulated. The CFs represent the maximum level offlexibility allowable to the SP 110 while utilizing the energy profilesof the PS 12. Specifically, the SP 110 determines a percentile ofconsumption/demand reduction capability for the PC 130. The SP 110determines a percentile of consumption/demand reduction capability forthe PP 120.

In the 3rd step S430, a linear programming (LP) formulation is conductedusing IPV and CF. If some preferences of the AC 140/PC 130 are provided,the LP formulations also incorporate the preference list. The objectivesof the LP formulation are to minimize the energy transactions (the totalenergy footprint) from a utility grid or external source whilerespecting the IPV, CF and the preferences provided by the AC 140/PC130. The usual constraints of the LP formulations are the total demandsatisfaction of the AC 140 (exact) and the AP 150 (fractional, based ofCF). That is, the demand of consumers should be satisfied, and the totalsupply from a particular producer should not exceed the limit.

The LP problem is solved in the step S440. That is, the SP 110 solve theoptimization problem (with constraints) formulated in the previous stepusing linear Programming. After the step S440, the SP 110 assignsappropriate producers to supply appropriate consumers based on thesolution of the above problem (S450). The outcome of the matching engineis the energy assignment among the AP 150/PP 120 to the AC 140/PC 130.

The result of the matching engine (information of pre-committed energyvolume) will be broadcasted to the appropriate AP 150/AC 140/PP 120/PC130. At the end of the Phase 2 (FIG. 7), the unavoidable energytransactions with a utility grid will be performed in the N-time aheadmarket.

FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing a flow of Phase 3 in the energyadjustment method according to the first exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention. The real time energy exchange operation starts withPhase 3 (S330). Based on the energy matching operation decided N-timeahead in Phase 2 (S320), the real time energy is exchanged among the AC140/AP 150, the PC 130/PP 120 and the utility grid (if necessary). Thatis, the CES Subscribers 10 interplay with each other based on thecommitted energy amount (in real-time) (S331). Further, if necessary,the Conventional Utility Company 900 performs the energy interaction (ifnecessary) with CES Subscribers 10 based on N-time ahead-contract(S332).

FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing a flow of Phase 4 in the energyadjustment method according to the first exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention. Using the communication link, after a certaininterval, the CES subscribers 10 send their real time energy foot-prints(supplied and consumed) to the SP 110 as Phase 4 (S340) starts. The SP110 stores real-time information in the storage unit 114 (S342). In thisPhase 4, the adjustment required for mitigating the difference betweenreal-time supply and real-time demand takes place. In other words, theSP 110 processes the adjustment by undertaking appropriate batterydelegation, contacting the PS 12. In order to adjust, the SP 110 mayrequest a set of certain PS 12 to adjust their demand/supply. That is,the SP 110 sends an adjustment signal to the PS 12 (the PP 120/PC 130).Moreover, the SP 110 can also initiate battery delegation in associationwith a battery cloud to fix the above difference (S346). If thedifference is still not fixed even after battery delegation andincorporation of Passive Subscribers, the SP 110 interacts with theimbalance market to nullify the difference (S345).

FIG. 11 is a simple exemplary energy matching procedure according to thefirst exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 shows asimple exemplary energy matching procedure among 3 Active Consumers (AC)141 to 143, 1 Passive Consumer (PC) 131, 2 Active Producers (AP) 151 and152, and 1 Passive Producer (PP) 121 for a day-ahead operation(according to N-time ahead operation). The energy matching will beconducted at 10 AM on the next day. This example assumes that theconsumers and producers are able to provide their own energy profiling.Therefore, the prediction engine 113 is not in action.

The Passive subscribers (PC 131 and PP 121) can adjust the electricenergy within the range of their flexibility of 20% and 30%,respectively. In the case of the PC 131, 20% flexibility refers to thereduction of demand down to 20% (i.e. if the SP 110 instructs the PC 131to bring down the demand from 12 kWh to 9.6 kWh, the PC 131 will consume9.6 kWh). And, in case of the PP 121, 30% flexibility refers to theincrease in production up to 30% (i.e. if the SP 110 instructs toincrease the production from 10 kWh to 13 kWh, the PP 121 will provide13 kWh). (Note that, finally, the PP 121 provides 12.6 kWh.)

After the SP 110 accumulates all the requested and potential supplyquantity of energy from consumers and producers (S314), respectively,the energy matching operation is started. The process of solving theenergy matching problem (the assignment problem) using linearprogramming (S321) is described in FIG. 10. Finally, the SP 110calculated as shown table 520. The table 520 summarizes the energytransactions among consumers and producers.

It is noted that the total supply is between 52 kWh to 55 kWh (with theflexibility of the PP 121) and the total demand is 57 kWh (can bereduced to 54.6 kWh with the flexibility of the PC 131). In the idealcase with no flexibility (i.e. demand is 57 kWh and supply is 52 kWh),the utility (electric energy) will be required to provide additional 5kWh to nullify the gap between supply and demand.

However, the SP 110 utilized the flexibility of passive customers andzeros the utility interaction by instructing the PC 131 to reduce theconsumption down to 20% and the PP 121 to increase the production up to26% (within 30% flexibility). The resultant table can be read as (e.g.row 1); AP #1 is committed to provide 5, 8, 11 and 6 kWh to AC #1, AC#2, AC #3, and PC #1, respectively at 10 AM tomorrow. The same way,column 2 can be read as; the AC 142 is committed to receive 8, 5, 5 kWhof energy from the AP 151, the AP 152 and the PP 121, respectively andto receive no energy from the utility. The decision on energy matchingcan have multiple optima (i.e. multiple solutions can be achievablewhile realizing the same objective).

However, depending on criteria such as the preferences (such preferencemay be, e.g. the AC 141 prefers the AP 151 over the AP 152 to provide ahigher fraction of requested energy), fairness policy (such policy maybe, e.g. the SP 110 provides certain advantage to the AC 141 whilerespecting the AC 141's preference), etc., a single solution can beattainable. These features can be included while designing specificservices and the disclosed invention can be served as an interface orframework.

In the real time operation, however, the SP 110 might ask passivecustomers (that contain the flexibility unused in the day-aheadoperation) to adjust the real time demand-supply gap. For instance, inthe present example, the PP 121 can increase the production slightly(4%) in the real time operation (possibly by utilizing the operatingreserve).

<Other Exemplary Embodiments of the Invention>

The present invention relates to a System and Operation of a Demand SideCommitment based Energy Service Framework. The present invention is inthe general field of designing of an energy service framework fordemand-side energy management that it is envisioned will be applied to aparticular electricity distribution (demand-side) area. Moreparticularly, the present invention is in the technical field of energyservice design by defining appropriate players and subscribers, theirfunctionalities, interplaying and cooperation, and an overall operationto realize an efficient automated trading amongst local energy producersand local energy consumers oriented towards minimizing dependency on autility grid (or external energy sources).

Those skilled in the art will recognize that the system, operation andmethod of the present disclosure may be implemented in several mannersand as such are not to be limited by the foregoing embodiments andexamples. In other words, functional elements being performed by singleor multiple components in various combinations of hardware, software orfirmware may be distributed among software applications in the serverside (the SP side). Furthermore, the embodiments of the methodspresented in the flowchart in this disclosure are provided by way ofexample in order to provide a more complete understanding of thetechnology. Alternative embodiments can be contemplated wherein thevarious components can be altered functionally in order to attain thesame goals. Although, various embodiments have been described for thepurposes of this disclosure, such embodiments should not be deemed tolimit the teaching of this disclosure to those embodiments. Variouschanges and modifications may be made to the elements and operationsdescribed above to obtain a result that remains within the scope of thesystems and operations described in this disclosure.

Additionally, it is obvious that the present invention is not limited bythe above exemplary embodiments but various modifications can be madethereto without departing from the scope of the already mentionedpresent invention. For example, the above exemplary embodimentsexplained the present invention as being a hardware configuration, butthe present invention is not limited to this. The present invention canalso be realized by causing a CPU (Central Processing Unit) to executearbitrary processes on a computer program. In this case, the program canbe stored and provided to a computer using any type of non-transitorycomputer readable media.

Examples of non-transitory computer readable media include magneticstorage media (such as floppy disks, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives,etc.), optical magnetic storage media (e.g. magneto-optical disks),CD-ROM (compact disc read only memory), CD-R (compact disc recordable),CD-R/W (compact disc rewritable), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), BD(Blu-ray(registered trademark) Disc), and semiconductor memories (suchas mask ROM, PROM (Programmable ROM), EPROM (Erasable PROM), flash ROM,RAM (Random Access Memory), etc.). The program may be provided to acomputer using any type of transitory computer readable media. Examplesof transitory computer readable media include electric signals, opticalsignals, and electromagnetic waves. Transitory computer readable mediacan provide the program to a computer via a wired communication line(e.g. electric wires, and optical fibers) or a wireless communicationline.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

100 CES Vicinity

110 Service Provider (SP)

10 CES Subscribers

106 a Subscriber

Active Subscriber (AS)

Passive Subscriber (PS)

120 Passive Producer (PP)

130 Passive Consumer (PC)

140 Active Consumer (AC)

150 Active Producer (AP)

111 service controller

112 energy matching engine

113 prediction engine

114 storage unit

115 energy profile

101 energy controller

102 storage unit

103 energy profile

210 communication line

220 electrical grid network

121 Passive Producer

131 Passive Consumer

141 Active Consumer

142 Active Consumer

143 Active Consumer

151 Active Producer

152 Active Producer

520 table

900 Conventional Utility Company

The invention claimed is:
 1. An electric energy adjustment apparatuscomprising: at least one memory storing instructions, and at least oneprocessor configured to execute the instructions to: cause a serviceprovider to interact with a utility company, the interacting including:instructing a plurality of Producers and Consumers about electricalenergy, the Producers providing the electric energy, and the Consumersconsuming the electric energy, selecting either an Active Producer or aPassive Producer as a category for each of the plurality of Producers,the Active Producer providing a predetermined volume of the electricenergy, and the Passive Producer adjusting a volume of the electricenergy to be provided, and select either an Active Consumer or a PassiveConsumer as a category for each of the plurality of Consumers, the anActive Consumer consuming a predetermined volume of the electric energy,and the Passive Consumer that adjusting a volume of the electric energyto be consumed, and instructing at least one of Passive Subscribers,which is at least one of either the Passive Producer or the PassiveConsumer, to adjust the electric energy, so as to mitigate a differencebetween a total volume of the electric energy provided by the pluralityof Producers and a total volume of the electric energy consumed by theplurality of Consumers.
 2. The electric energy adjustment apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is furtherconfigured to execute the instructions to: receive values of an electricenergy volume which is provided by the plurality of Producers and isconsumed by the plurality of Consumers during a certain time period, andinstruct instructs the at least one of the Passive Subscribers to adjustthe electric energy based on the received values of the electric energyvolume.
 3. The electric energy adjustment apparatus according to claim1, wherein the at least one processor: instructs at least one of thePassive Subscribers to adjust the electric energy during a certain timeperiod, and when there is a difference between a total real supplyvolume which is provided by the plurality of Producers and a total realdemand volume which is consumed by the plurality of Consumers during thecertain time period, instructs at least one of the Passive Subscribersto further adjust the electric energy.
 4. The electric energy adjustmentapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one processor isfurther configured to execute the instructions to: before a certain timeperiod in which the plurality of the Producers and the Consumersactually adjust the electric energy, determine adjustment values toadjust the electric energy so as to mitigate the difference based onpredicted values of demand and supply electric energy obtained in eachof the plurality of the Producers and the Consumers during the certaintime period, and instruct at least one of the Passive Subscribers basedon the adjustment values.
 5. The electric energy adjustment apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the at least one processor: possessesprofiles about demand and supply electric energy obtained in each of theplurality of the Producers and the Consumers during a certain timeperiod, determines adjustment values to adjust the electric energy,based on the profiles, and instructs the at least one of the PassiveSubscribers based on the adjustment values.
 6. The electric energyadjustment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein there are a pluralityof time periods for the Passive Subscribers to adjust the electricenergy, and the at least one processor: determines adjustment values toadjust the electric energy for each of the time periods, so as tomitigate the difference, and instructs the at least one of the PassiveSubscribers based on the adjustment values.
 7. The electric energyadjustment apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the at least oneprocessor selects one of the pluralities of the Producers and theConsumers as Active and one of the pluralities of the Producers and theConsumers as Passive for each of the time periods.
 8. The electricenergy adjustment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at leastone processor: determines adjustment values to adjust the electricenergy so as to mitigate the difference within a range of constraintsunder which the Passive Subscribers are able to adjust the electricenergy, and instructs the at least one of the Passive Subscribers basedon the adjustment values.
 9. An electric energy adjustment method usinga plurality of Producers that provide electric energy, a plurality ofConsumers that consume the electric energy and a controller thatinstructs the plurality of the Producers and the Consumers about theelectrical energy, the method comprising: causing, by the controller, aservice provider to interact with a utility company, the interactingincluding: selecting, by the controller, either an Active Producer or aPassive Producer as a category for each of the plurality of Producers,the Active Producer providing a predetermined volume of the electricenergy, and the Passive Producer adjusting a volume of the electricenergy to be provided, and selecting, by the controller, either anActive Consumer or a Passive Consumer as a category for each of theplurality of Consumers, the Active Consumer consuming a predeterminedvolume of the electric energy, and the Passive Consumer adjusting avolume of the electric energy to be consumed; and instructing, by thecontroller, at least one of Passive Subscribers, which is at least oneof either the Passive Producer or the Passive Consumer, to adjust theelectric energy, so as to mitigate a difference between a total volumeof the electric energy provided by the plurality of the Producers and atotal volume of the electric energy consumed by the plurality of theConsumers.
 10. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing acontrol program that, when executed by a computer, causes the computerto: cause a service provider to interact with a utility company, theinteracting including: selecting either an Active Producer or a PassiveProducer as a category for each of a plurality of Producers whichprovide electric energy, the Active Producer providing a predeterminedvolume of the electric energy, the Passive Producer adjusting a volumeof the electric energy to be provided, and selecting either an ActiveConsumer or a Passive Consumer as a category for each of the pluralityof Consumers which consume the electric energy, the Active Consumerconsuming a predetermined volume of the electric energy, and the PassiveConsumer adjusting a volume of the electric energy to be consumed, andinstructing at least one of Passive Subscribers, which is at least oneof either the Passive Producer or the Passive Consumer, to adjust theelectric energy, so as to mitigate a difference between a total volumeof the electric energy provided by the plurality of the Producers and atotal volume of the electric energy consumed by the plurality of theConsumers.